A Guide to Disney Cruises

With cruises quickly aiming for the top spot as the most popular form of vacation, it was no surprise when Disney announced that they would be adding their own line of cruise ships. What is surprising is the level of innovation and quality that goes into every single excursion on a Disney cruise ship.

With so many reasons to choose Disney cruises over the other options, it is hard to find a reason not to. The cruises have it all, top notch accommodations, quality entertainment, exciting programs for kids from 3-17 led by their favorite Disney Characters, quality dining, adults only areas with nightclubs and private pools, and so much more. Disney cruises are truly the mark to which other cruise lines aspire.

Disney currently has two cruise ships, The Wonder and The Magic. Both are designed in the style of the great liners of the 1930's, and both depart from Port Canaveral which is just west of Orlando. Both ships can hold over 2500 people, and each is adorned with an astonishing 11 decks boasting everything from spas to pools to restaurants to nightclubs, and best of all... a state of the art theatre on which Disney puts on quite an amazing stage show.

There is a nearly unlimited choice of foods on Disney cruise ships. From themed restaurants to themed dinners which favorite Disney characters eat dinner right along with you, there is never a dull moment. There are also restaurants serving everything from casual fare to fine dining. For the older partygoers, there are even the options of champagne brunch and high tea,

There are themed pools, both for adults and kids, and a family pool, including a pool shaped like Mickey himself. There are also a variety of programs, including the Be a Mousketeer program, where Mickey himself trains your little one to become a real life Mouseketeer, and a Pirate Training program led by Captain Hook. For older kids there is the Oceaneer Lab, where they can make volcanoes and create their very own "Flubber". And finally, there is a state of the art lounge for teens with MP3 stations, comfy chairs, and a smoothie bar. For peace of mind, when dropping off a child 12 or under, parents are given a pager to alert them to anything their child may need. There are also sports arenas, and of course, Disney characters abound around every corner, ready and willing to sign autographs and take pictures with eager fans.

There are a wide variety of staterooms, many with private verandas. The ships go to many ports of call, from the Bahamas (where they dock on Disney's privately owned island, Castaway Cay), to the Caribbean, to the Mexican Riviera and more.

These days there is truly a Disney cruise for everyone. With a quality not to be topped, entertainment from characters both new and old, and an atmosphere guaranteed to delight anyone who comes aboard, it's hard to beat a Disney cruise. For a lifetime of memories guaranteed to make everyone smile, consider this your number one vacation choice!